Car hire La Rochelle

Introduction

La Rochelle is a port city in France. Its main attraction is the Old Harbor (Vieux Port), the heart of the historical city, with excellent fish restaurants. The center is surrounded by old city walls which turn into an evening promenade at night.

Population

The city has over 75,000 inhabitants.

Location

La Rochelle is centrally located in the west of France, on the Atlantic coast. Off the coast lies Île de Ré, protecting the harbor as a natural barrier. The island is connected with the mainland via a bridge. Boats run to the smaller Île d'Aix which isn't connected, just like the famous Fort Boyard. North of town lies Venise Verte ('Green Venice'), a swampland crisscrossed with little channels.

Economy

La Rochelle used to be a center of shipbuilding and car production, but those industries have disappeared. Fishing has remained. Although employment has increased thanks to growing tourism (there's for example a marina), unemployment is relatively high. A factory for the production of biofuel is one of the city's newest industries.

Airports

The city's airport, La Rochelle-Île de Ré Airport, is situated less than 5 kilometers northwest of the center. It's easily reachable from the center by rental car via the Avenue Jean Guiton and the Avenue Raymond Poincaré. The beltway (N237) also runs along the airport. The way to the airport is clearly signposted. 

Public Transport

La Rochelle has good public bus transport. There are also buses to Île de Ré, Aytré, Plage de Châtelaillon and Port des Minimes (which can also be reached by boat). All buses leave from the central bus station on Place de Verdun. In the city itself you can rent bicycles, the so-called velos jaunes ('yellow bicycles'). From the old harbor ferries leave to islands off the coast and to Fort Boyard.

Traffic and Parking

The narrow streets in the historical center are largely a pedestrian area. You can park your rental car in one of the parking facilities around the center. On presentation of your parking ticket you can travel on the electronic shuttle to the center for free. Toll is levied for using the bridge to Île de Ré (but it's free for cyclists and pedestrians).

Hotels

La Rochelle has many accommodations, with a concentration near the Vieux Port. Some are basic and affordable, but there are also luxurious hotels. There's little choice for budget tourists, except for the youth hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse) near Port des Minimes.

External Sources

For more information about La Rochelle, we recommend Google and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, La Rochelle
• Official website La Rochelle
• Tourist Information La Rochelle